Location: France, Major Cities
Thousands of people across France gathered in major cities on Saturday to protest violence against women, with activists demanding that the country learn from a mass rape trial that has deeply shocked the public.
Protest Against Violence and Gender Inequality
The trial in Avignon, located in the south of France, involves 51 men, one of whom allegedly drugged his wife over the course of a decade. Several others are accused of joining him in abusing her at their home. The prosecutors are expected to ask the court for sentencing in the coming week.
Calls for Legislative Change
Demonstrators marched through the streets, demanding justice and raising awareness about the widespread issue of violence against women. Peggy Plou, a local elected official from the Indre-et-Loire region, emphasized that this issue concerns everyone, not just women. “The more of us there are, the more visible we are,” she said. Thousands of people participated in the Paris march, with many women, children, and even men showing their support. Similar protests were held in other major cities like Marseille, Lille, and Rennes.
Women’s Rights Advocates Push for New Laws on Consent
Many protesters carried signs bearing the slogan “shame must switch sides,” a phrase popularized by the plaintiff in the Avignon trial, Gisele Pelicot. Pelicot’s courage to have public hearings, despite the painful nature of the case, has been widely praised.
Marie-Claire Abiker, a retired nurse who participated in the Paris march, voiced the demand for a law on consent. “Just because someone doesn’t say something doesn’t mean that they agree to sexual contact,” she stressed. France’s current legal definition of rape focuses on sexual penetration by violence, threats, or surprise, but does not include a clear definition of consent, a key issue raised by women’s rights groups, particularly after the MeToo movement gained momentum.
Rising Male Support for Women’s Rights
Amy Bah, a member of the feminist group NousToutes, noted the increasing involvement of men in protests. “In 2018, it was mostly women protesting. Today, about 30 percent of the demonstrators are men. That’s really great news,” she remarked.
